Termite Tubing Preventative for Non-Wood Materials

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to materials and methods for protecting man-made structures made with non-wood materials from termite damage through the application of borates to the surface of non-wood materials. In an embodiment the invention regards a method for preventing termite tunneling and tubing on non-wood and/or non-cellulosic materials by treating non-wood building components comprising the steps of applying a composition to the surfaces of a non-wood building component, wherein the composition comprises a borate component. In another embodiment the invention regards a method for preventing termite damage to man-made structures comprising the steps of mixing borates with a solvent to form a borate solution, obtaining a non-wood building component, coating the non-wood building component with the borate solution, and incorporating the coated non-wood building component into a man-made structure. The invention also regards a non-wood building component comprising a non-wood substrate, and a coating comprising borates, wherein the coating is disposed on the surfaces of the non-wood substrate.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to materials and methods for protectingman-made structures from termite damage by treating non-wood and/ornon-cellulosic materials. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to the application of borates to the surface of non-wood and/ornon-cellulosic materials.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Termites are unique among insects in their ability to derive nutritionalbenefit from cellulose, which is the component of wood and plants thatgives structural rigidity to cells. However, as a result of feeding onwood and cellulose containing products, termites can cause significantdamage to man-made structures and the cellulose materials containedwithin.

Generally speaking, subterranean termites must stay in close reach ofthe soil at all times, lest they die from dehydration. Accordingly, woodtouching soil is easily accessed and damaged by termites. However,subterranean termites also can build shelter tubing to travel betweenthe soil and wood that is nearby, but not actually touching the soil.The shelter tubing provides a dark, moist environment that protects thetermites from sunlight, predators, or dehydration. Termites may alsobuild shelter tubes through the soil to avoid certain highly repellanttermiticides.

To prevent termite damage, termite barrier insecticides have beenapplied to soil under and around dwellings for many years as a chemicalbarrier. Approaches have included the injection or spray application oflarge volumes of organic pesticides such as organophosphates andpyrethroids into soil prior to the pouring or construction of buildingfoundations. However, this approach causes environmental concerns as thepesticide goes directly into the environment. Moreover, this approachhas performance limitations because the pesticide is lost from thevicinity within a 3 to 10 year period, thereafter allowing termiteaccess. Further, rain during construction or some other form of physicalactivity (digging, walking, pipe laying etc) breaks the barrier andoften leads to premature failure of the insecticide treatment.

A different approach to termite control has been to apply borates towood used in construction through spray or pressure applications topoison the termites' food source. Borates have been used in almost alltypes of wood end use including the treatment of solid wood, plywood andwood composites. The benefits of borates include efficacy against allwood destroying organisms (fingi, boring beetles & termites), low acutemammalian toxicity and low environmental impact. As an example of thisapproach, a specific glycol borate formulation containing 40 wt. %disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (DOT) and applied diluted in water to23 wt. % DOT (available commercially as BORA-CARE®), has beendemonstrated and approved in the USA as a stand alone alternative tosoil poisoning, when sprayed on all structural wood to a height of twofeet in new construction.

However, treating only structural wood with borates has practicallimitations. One limitation of this approach is that a large percentageof new construction uses building materials other than wood. Brick,block, concrete, steel frame, vinyl, stucco, gypsum, expanded foam andpolystyrene board are all common construction materials that can be usedin the absence of wood, or with a very low volume of wood. Whiletermites generally don't directly damage non-cellulosic materials suchas concrete, termites have the ability to build shelter tubing overthese non-wood construction materials and then cause damage to books,paper, wall coverings, wood composite fixtures and fitting, hardwoodfloors, and other wood or cellulose items. Thus, while it is noteffective to treat homes and commercial building constructed in this wayby treating only structural wood with borates, subterranean termiteprotection is still warranted.

Another approach to the use of borates has been to incorporate them intobuilding products, including cementitious products. However, thisapproach has not proven effective as it still allows termite tubing overthe building material so the terminates can reach other vulnerableitems. This approach has a further limitation in that the application ofborates to cementitious products may act as a setting retardant andultimately affect structural integrity of some building products intowhich it is incorporated.

Therefore, a need exists for an environmentally safer way of protectingman-made structures made with non-wood materials, and the contentstherein, from termite damage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment the invention regards a method for preventing termitetunneling and tubing on non-wood and/or non-cellulosic materials bytreating non-wood building components comprising the steps of applying acomposition to the surfaces of a non-wood building component, whereinthe composition comprises a borate component. In another embodiment theinvention regards a method for preventing termite damage to man-madestructures comprising the steps of mixing borates with a solvent to forma borate solution, obtaining a non-wood building component, coating thenon-wood building component with the borate solution, and incorporatingthe coated non-wood building component into a man-made structure. Theinvention also regards a non-wood building component comprising anon-wood substrate, and a coating comprising borates, wherein thecoating is disposed on the surfaces of the non-wood substrate.

The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describeeach discussed embodiment of the present invention. This is the purposeof the figures and the detailed description that follows.

DRAWINGS

The invention may be more completely understood in connection with thefollowing drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-section of a non-wood building component with a boratesolution coating.

FIG. 2 is an example of termite tubing behavior on a non-wood buildingcomponent with a borate solution coating and on a non-wood buildingcomponent without a borate solution coating.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of exampleand drawings, and will be described in detail. It should be understood,however, that the invention is not limited to the particular embodimentsdescribed. On the contrary, the intention is to cover modifications,equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Where a borate composition is applied to a non-wood substrate inaccordance with the invention, termites attempt to form tubes, but thereis very rapid termite mortality and therefore a discontinuation oftubing activity on the treated non-wood substrates.

In an embodiment the invention regards a method for preventing termitetunneling and tubing on non-wood and/or non-cellulosic materials bytreating non-wood building components comprising the steps of applying acomposition to the surfaces of a non-wood building component, whereinthe composition comprises a borate component. In another embodiment theinvention regards a method for preventing termite damage to man-madestructures comprising the steps of mixing borates with a solvent to forma borate solution, obtaining a non-wood building component, coating thenon-wood building component with the borate solution, and incorporatingthe coated non-wood building component into a man-made structure. Theinvention also regards a non-wood building component comprising anon-wood substrate, and a coating comprising borates, wherein thecoating is disposed on the surfaces of the non-wood substrate.

Materials to be Treated

Many different non-wood and/or non-cellulosic materials can be treatedwith a borate composition in accordance with various embodiments of theinvention. For example, in an embodiment, cementitious materials aretreated. Cementitious materials are those materials that are made fromcement and/or have the properties of cement. Suitable materials fortreatment can include brick, block, stone, concrete, stucco, gypsum.Metals can also be treated with a borate composition in accordance withthe invention. For example, steel or copper may be treated.Additionally, plastics or polymeric based materials can be treatedincluding expanded foam, PVC, vinyl, polystyrene and other plastics orpolymers. One of skill in the art will appreciate that many non-woodand/or non-cellulosic substrates can be treated in accordance with theinvention.

Materials of varying levels of porosity may be treated in accordancewith the invention. In some embodiments, materials with a high level ofporosity are treated. In other embodiments, materials that have a lessthan high level of porosity are treated.

Borate Compositions Applied

The borate compositions applied may comprise a borate compound as anactive agent, a carrier, and a diluent. One of skill in the art willappreciate that the borate compositions applied may also comprise othercomponents including adjunct active agents, solubility enhancers,colorings or dyes, co-diluents, viscosity modifying agents, adhesivecomponents, powders, polymer forming agents, etc. In an embodiment, theborate compositions applied may comprise a dry composition, depending onthe nature of building component to be treated. The form of the boratecomposition may vary depending on the type of material treated, thetermite species from which protection is desired, and the ambientclimatic conditions.

Suitable borate compounds may include those of high or low solubility.Low solubility borate compounds may be used in the form of a suspension,may be treated first to enhance their solubility, or may be used inconjunction with a separate compound that functions to enhance theirsolubility. Suitable borate compounds may include boric acid, sodiumborates such as borax and DOT (disodium octaborate tetrahydrate), zincborates, calcium borates, sodium calcium borates, calcium magnesiumborates, organic borates such as boresters and boronic acids and anymixtures thereof. Suitable carriers may include polyalkylene glycols,including short chain polyalkylene glycols having an average molecularweight of between about 100 and 500. Specific carriers include propyleneglycol, monoethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol andpolyethylene glycol. Suitable diluents include polar solvents such aswater, alcohols or glycols, with or without the addition of surfactants.Organic solvents such as mineral spirits and kerosene can be used withemmulsifiers or with organic borates such as boresters or boronic acids.Other components such as rheology modifiers, thickening agents andpolymerizing film formers such as starch, agar, xanthan gum, gelatin,latex, acrylics, alkyds etc., may also be added.

The borate composition, as it is applied, may not work optimally if itcomprises too low of a concentration of a borate compound. Therefore, insome embodiments, the borate composition comprises greater than 0.1 wt %of a borate compound. In a particular embodiment, the borate compositioncomprises between 0.1 wt % and 100.00 wt % of a borate compound. Inanother embodiment, the borate composition may comprise between about10.0 wt % and 30.0 wt % of a borate compound.

In one embodiment the borate composition comprises glycol, DOT (disodiumoctaborate tetrahydrate), and water, wherein the DOT ranges from 10.0 wt% to 30.0 wt %. As an example, a solution of glycol, DOT (disodiumoctaborate tetrahydrate), and water is commercially available, sold asBORA-CARE®, and is available from Nisus Corporation, 100 Nisus Drive,Rockford, Tenn. 37853. Glycols are readily available from a variety ofcommercial sources. One such source is Dow Chemical. For example, E200is an ethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of about 200and a chemical abstract registry number of 25322-68-3 and is availablefrom Dow Chemical.

Borate Application

The borate solution may be applied by a number of different methodsincluding low pressure spraying, high pressure spraying, brushing,dipping, misting, foaming, fogging, roller coating, spreading, pressureimmersion and even gaseous application. Where gaseous application isemployed, volatile borates, such as boresters including trimethylborate, may be used. The specific application technique used may varywith the given material treated. In many embodiments, the boratesolution is applied after the building component, or substrate, isalready formed, as opposed to mixing the borate solution into thematerial before the building component is formed.

The borate solution may be applied to the interior, and or exteriorwalls of a ready-built, or partially built, structure. The boratesolution may also be applied to cavities of a ready built structure(e.g. cavity wall or within hollow concrete blocks). The borate solutionmay also be applied to the concrete slab or foundation walls of new orexisting structures. The borate solution may be applied in and aroundbath traps or other areas where external utilities (water pipes,electric conduits, gas pipes etc) are brought into a structure.

The total amount of borates to be applied depends on the particularsubstrate as well as the particular insect species from which protectionis sought. A coating without a sufficient amount of borates may not beoptimal. In an embodiment, a coating that is greater than 0.005 g/cm² ofa borate solution is applied. However, using more borates than isnecessary for sufficient performance may be uneconomical. Therefore, inan embodiment, a coating that is less than 1.0 g/cm² of a boratesolution is applied. In an embodiment, an average coating of from about0.005 g/cm² to about 1 g/cm² of borate solution is applied. In anotherembodiment, an average coating of from 0.04 g/cm² to 0.10 g/cm² ofborate solution is applied. In a particular embodiment, an averagecoating of 0.071 g/cm² of borate solution is applied.

As many non-wood building components are porous, application of a boratecomposition will lead to some penetration of the solution into thebuilding component. Penetration, in effect, depletes protection byreducing the surface concentration of borates. In many non-porousmaterials penetration is minimal. Penetration may also be limited in dryporous materials. The depth of penetration will depend on theparticulars of the borate composition as well as the given buildingcomponent including its porosity and moisture content, in addition tothe mode of borate application. Generally, borate compositions withhigher levels of light organic solvents will penetrate more deeply intoa given dry building component.

Referring to FIG. 1, a cross-sectional view of a building component 10is shown that has been treated with a borate composition. The boratecomposition has been applied to the surface 12 of the building component10 and has penetrated throughout a penetration zone 14 (not drawn toscale) around the perimeter of the building component 10. The boratecomposition has penetrated to the edge 16 of the penetration zone,dividing the penetration zone 14 from an exclusionary zone 18 on theinterior of the building component. While FIG. 1 shows a penetrationzone 14, one of skill in the art will appreciate that at least where anon-porous or only slightly porous building components are used, apenetration zone may not be formed and the borate composition may resideat the surface of the building component.

In an embodiment of the invention, the borate composition is a lowsolubility borate applied in a non-solubilizing and/or highly volatilesolvent, in order to limit penetration and maximize the amount of theborate composition available at the surface of the building product.Other methods of limiting borate penetration are also contemplated bythe invention. By way of example, a penetration minimizing solution canbe applied to the non-wood building component before the borate solutionis applied. Such a penetration minimizing solution can act to fill thepores of the non-wood building component such that when the boratesolution is later applied it does not filter into the component asdeeply. Examples would include wax emulsions, polymer forming agentssuch as polyvinyl alcohol, silicone, acrylics, alkyds or other sealantssuch as coating systems or paints. In an embodiment, the inventioncomprises a coating of a penetration minimizing agent.

Insects

Embodiments of the invention are effective in preventing damage fromsubterranean termites including Reticulitermes, Heterotermes,Coptotermes, Microtermes, Nasutitermes, Neotennes and Mastitermes. Theinvention, in one embodiment, may be effective against Reticulitermes,Heterotermes and Coptotennes termites in particular. In a particularembodiment, the invention can be used to prevent damage caused byFormosan subterranean termites (Coptotermes formosanus). In otherembodiments, the invention is used to prevent damage from tube forminginsects generally, such as mud daubing wasps.

The present invention may be better understood with reference to thefollowing examples. These examples are intended to be representative ofspecific embodiments of the invention, and are not intended as limitingthe scope of the invention.

Example 1 Application of Borates

Concrete decorative columns, 15.2 cm×5 cm×61 cm (6 inches×2 inches×24inches) with one scalloped edge, were obtained as exemplary non-woodbuilding components. The columns were given a brush treatment with asolution comprising 20 wt. % disodium octaborate tetrahydrate, a glycolcarrier, and water on all surfaces of the columns to the point ofsurface refusal.

An average coating of 0.071 g/cm² of the solution was applied as shownin Table 1. The treatments were cured at room temperature prior totesting.

TABLE 1 Treatment Weight Surface Area g/cm2 Column 1 161.05 2274 0.0708Column 2 161.06 2274 0.0708 Column 3 160.96 2274 0.0708 Column 4 161.332274 0.0710 Column 5 162.53 2274 0.0715

Example 2 Tubing Test

The five treated columns from Example 1 (columns 1-5) were testedagainst 5 otherwise identical untreated columns (columns 6-10). The testalso included a southern yellow pine control to determine generaltermite activity. Each concrete column was placed on edge to provide acolumn that extended 58.4 cm (23 inches) above the sand surface. Eachcolumn was placed in 1500 grams of autoclaved blasting sand containing300 grams of distilled water. A piece of southern yellow pine sapwoodwas placed on top of each column. Formosan subterranean termites(Coptotermes formosanus) were collected by a bait crate method fromBrechtel State Park in Louisiana. These are recognized as the mostvoracious, most damaging and most difficult to control of thesubterranean termites. Two thousand Formosan subterranean termites(determined by weight from sampling) were placed on the sand in the pan.This structure was placed in a larger pan to create a moat to keep thetermites from escaping. Each setup was covered by plastic bags tomaintain high humidity. The southern yellow pine controls were used todetermine health and quality of the termites. Where applicable, testingfollowed the standard as described in AmericanWood-Preservers'Association Standard E1-97. All tests were maintained ina conditioned room at 27° C.

An initial test for a concrete control (Column #7) was set up todetermine if the termites would tunnel on the concrete. After 4 days atunnel had been constructed 16 inches above the sand level. The southernyellow pine controls were set up and run for 28 days. The visual ratingfor the controls was based on the following rating system: 10—Sound,surface nibbles permitted; 9—Light attack; 7—Moderate attack,penetration; 4—Heavy attack; 0—Failure.

Example 3 Effectiveness in Preventing Tubing

The concrete column test was run for 30 days. The columns were initiallychecked daily with the length of any tubing present and the number oftermites found in the surrounding water noted. The results for thetubing activity are shown in Table 2. In these tables, treated columnsare numbered 1-5 and the untreated columns numbered 6-10.

The tubing activity was measured every day for the first 18 days. It wasfound that termites built tubes the entire length of the column in only1 to 7 days for the untreated columns, once tubing started. Termites onthe borate treated columns reacted differently. The Formosansubterranean termites in these setups were not able to produce tubesover 20 cm (8 inches) in length with one reaching a total height of only10 cm (4 inches). On two of the five treated columns, the initial tubeon the flat edge of the column was abandoned and new tubes were startedon the scalloped side of the column. These tubes failed as well.Termites took an average of less than 8 days to complete their tube fromthe sand to the top of the column on untreated columns. However, theycould only reach an average height of 16.5 cm (6.5 inches) in 8 days ontreated columns with no further progress beyond that point.

The quality of the tubes also varied. The tubes on the untreated columnsappeared strong and durable whereas the tubes on the treated columnswere weak and crumbly. The tubes on the treated columns were notmaintained. In the end, some deterioration was found on all southernyellow pine blocks, whether the column was treated or not. Deteriorationwas much more severe on the wood supported on the untreated columns.While not intending to be bound by theory, it is believed that somedeterioration was observed on the treated columns because with noalternative food source in the experiment, the termites ultimatelycrossed the column to the food source even without tubes and were ableto do this as the test units were enclosed in plastic bags to maintainhigh humidity. It is believed that this would not happen in nature wherealternative food sources are inevitably available and where only tubeswill prevent dehydration and death.

Referring to FIG. 2, examples of tubing behaviors on columns with andwithout borate solution coatings are shown. On an exemplary uncoatedcolumn 50, termites form a tube 56 on the surface 58 of the uncoatedcolumn 50 starting from the base 52 of the uncoated column 50 to the top54 of the uncoated column 50. In contrast, on a coated column 60,termites begin to form a tube 66 on the surface 68 of the coated columnstarting from the base 62, but the tube 66 is terminated at a point 70that is before the top 64 of the coated column.

TABLE 2 Beginning Day Day Day Day Day Day Column # Date Day 2 Day 3 Day4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 1 Aug. 26, 2003 0 0.5

.5 3.75 3.75 3.75 8 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 Aug. 26, 2003 0 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5

4 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 Aug. 26, 2003 0 0

.5 5 5 5 6.5 6.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 Aug. 26, 2003 0 0 2 5 5 5 7 7 0 0 0 0 0 05 Aug. 26, 2003 0 0 3.75 6 6 6 8 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 Aug. 26, 2003 0 3.5 918 18

8 23 top top top top top top top 7 Aug. 22, 2003 7 7.5 16 23 top top toptop top top top top top top 8 Aug. 26, 2003 0 0 0 0 0 18.5 23 top toptop top top top top 9 Aug. 28, 2003 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 Aug.26, 2003 0 0 0 0 0 0 23 100 0 top top top top top Day Day Day Day DayDay Day Day Day Day Day Day Day Day Day Column # 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 2324 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 0 0 0 NM NM 0 0 0 0 0 NM NM 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 NM NM 00 0 0 0 NM NM 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 NM NM 0 0 0 0 0 NM NM 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 NM NM 00 0 0 0 NM NM 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 NM NM 0 0 0 0 0 NM NM 0 0 0 6 top top top NMNM top top top top top NM NM top top top 7 top top top NM NM top top toptop top NM NM top top top 8 top top top NM NM top top top top top NM NMtop top top 9 0

5.5 16.5 NM NM 23 top top top top NM NM top top top 10 top top top NM NMtop top top top top NM NM top top top

indicates data missing or illegible when filed

Example 4 Termite Mortality

Termites were found in the water surrounding the setup on a daily basis.These termites were collected and counted providing a daily mortalitycount. As can be seen in Table 3, there was a significantly largernumber of termites that were in the water from the treated columns thanthe untreated. The treated concrete had an average of 799 termites inthe water over the 30 day period or 40% mortality of the original numberplaced in the test. The mortality of termites used in the untreatedconcrete test averaged a total of 93 termites or 4.7% mortality.Mortality of the termites on the untreated column due to drowningdecreased considerably once the tube reached the top of the column.Mortality of the termites on the treated columns caused by drowning wasvery high sometimes reaching more than 50% in two weeks on individualcolumns.

A summary of the test breakdown data is provided in Table 4. Dataconsists of total termite mortality (water mortality plus other) for theconcrete column setups and mortality, weight loss, and visual rating forthe southern yellow pine block controls in the jar test. As can be seenin this table, there were very high mortality rates for the treatedconcrete column setup averaging 92.7%, moderate mortality for theuntreated columns averaging 35.7%, and low mortality for the pinecontrols averaging 13.2%. In addition, the higher weight loss for thecontrols (43.7%), combined with the low ratings (0.8) indicated that thetermites were healthy and very active. As shown in Table 4, the veryhigh mortality rate for the treated columns indicates that the treatmentalso caused death of termites in the sand as well as death by drowning.

TABLE 3 Beginning Day Day Day Day Day Day Column # Date Day 2 Day 3 Day4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 1 Aug. 26, 2003 0 68 025 0 0 247 61 75 34 0 103

3 39 2 Aug. 26, 2003 0 201 0 55 0 0 234 199 108 68 0 163

4 23 3 Aug. 26, 2003 0 106 0 41 0 0 153 63 54 43 0 69 33 25 4 Aug. 26,2003 0 184 0 30 0 0 121 46 85 39 0 98 28 14 5 Aug. 26, 2003 0 124 0 57 00 138

8 21 16 0 22 8 2 6 Aug. 26, 2003 0 1

4 0 15 0 0

9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 Aug. 26, 2003 0 0 0 0 0 116 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 Aug. 26,2003 0 53 0 12 0 0

1 2 0 3 0 1 0 0 9 Aug. 26, 2003 0 2 0 0 1 2 0 1 0 0 10 2 0 0

0 Aug. 26, 2003 0 42 0 2 0 0 3 2 2 2 0 1 0 0 Day Day Day Day Day Day DayDay Day Day Day Day Day Day Day Column # 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 2526 27 28 29 30 1 39 30 18 NM NM 25 7 2 1 0 NM NM NM NM 3 2 50 27 15 NMNM 36 4 1 0 1 NM NM NM NM 1 3 14 6 21 NM NM 66

5 1 1 6 NM NM NM NM 10 4 35 17 17 NM NM 47

2 3 2 NM NM NM NM 0 5 4 6 2 NM NM 12 2 1 1 3 NM NM NM NM 1 6 0 0 0 NM NM0 1 1 0 0 NM NM NM NM 0 7 0 0 0 NM NM 1 0 0 0 0 NM NM NM NM 0 8 0 0 0 NMNM 1 0 0 0 0 NM NM NM NM 0 9 1

12 9 NM NM 6 1 1 0 0 NM NM NM NM 0

0 2 0 0 NM NM 0 0 1 0 0 NM NM NM NM 0

indicates data missing or illegible when filed

TABLE 4 WT/ Total Visual Sample Termite WT Initial Live Live WeightRating ID gm gm Termites # Workers # Soldiers # Mortality % loss % 0-101 0.0046 9.223 2005 419 1 79.05% NA NA 2 0.0046 9.224 2005 0 0 100.00%NA NA 3 0.0046 9.211 2002 137 0 93.16% NA NA 4 0.0046 9.226 2006 68 596.36% NA NA 5 0.0046 9.241 2009 95 3 95.12% NA NA Mean 0.0046 9.2252005.4 143.8 1.8 92.74% St Dev 0 0.011 2.3 161.7 2.2 0.08 6 0.0046 9.2552012 1251 21 36.78% NA NA 7 0.0043 8.58 1995 1250 NA 37.35% NA NA 80.0046 9.243 2009 1011 9 49.24% NA NA 9 0.0046 9.319 2026 1572 9 21.96%NA NA 10  0.0046 9.264 2014 1316 28 33.26% NA NA Mean 0.0045 9.1322011.3 1280.0 16.8 35.72% St Dev 0.0001 0.310 10.9 200.4 9.4 0.10 C10.0046 1.841 400 336 7 14.30% 44.60% 0 C2 0.0046 1.845 401 355 6 9.99%43.57% 2 C3 0.0046 1.847 402 351 5 11.34% 44.23% 2 C4 0.0046 1.842 400352 11 9.35% 44.52% 0 C5 0.0046 1.848 402 312 6 20.84% 41.57% 0 Mean0.0046 1.844 401.0 341.2 7.0 13.16% 43.70% 0.8 St Dev 0 0.003 0.7 17.92.3 0.05  1.26% 1.10

While the present invention has been described with reference to severalparticular implementations, those skilled in the art will recognize thatmany changes may be made hereto without departing from the spirit andscope of the present invention.

1-38. (canceled)
 39. A man-made structure comprising: at least onenon-wood building component having a first portion disposed adjacentground or soil, a second portion vertically disposed above the ground orsoil, and a surface which is susceptible to the formation of termiteshelter tubes; and at least one wood or cellulosic building componentdisposed adjacent the second portion of the non-wood building componentwithout being adjacent ground or soil; wherein the surface of thenon-wood building component is coated with a borate solution comprisingat least one form of borate, and at least one solvent, and wherein theborate solution coating provides a termite barrier which is effective tosubstantially reduce termite tube formation across the surface of thenon-wood building component.
 40. The man-made structure of claim 39,wherein the non-wood building component is cementitious.
 41. Theman-made structure of claim 39, wherein the non-wood building componentis metal.
 42. The man-made structure of claim 39, wherein the non-woodbuilding component is polymeric.
 43. The man-made structure of claim 39,wherein the solvent comprises water.
 44. The man-made structure of claim39, wherein the solvent comprises an organic solvent having at least onealcohol group.
 45. The man-made structure of claim 39, wherein thesolvent comprises at least one glycol selected from the group consistingof propylene glycol, monoethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethyleneglycol, polyethylene glycol, and mixtures thereof.
 46. The man-madestructure of claim 39, wherein the borate solution comprises from about10.0 weight percent to about 30.0 weight percent of at least one borateselected from the group consisting of boric acid, sodium borates, zincborates, calcium borates, sodium calcium borates, calcium magnesiumborates, organic borates, and mixtures thereof.
 47. The man-madestructure of claim 39, wherein the borate solution comprises disodiumoctaborate tetrahydrate.
 48. The man-made structure of claim 39, whereinthe surface of the non-wood building component is coated with an averagecoating of from about 0.0005 g/cm² to about 1.0 g/cm² of the boratesolution.
 49. The man-made structure of claim 39, the surface of thenon-wood building component is coated with an average coating of fromabout 0.04 g/cm² to about 0.10 g/cm² of the borate solution.
 50. Theman-made structure of claim 39, wherein the borate solution coatingprovides a termite barrier which is effective to limit termite tubeformation across the surface of the non-wood building component to alength of less than about 6 inches.
 51. The man-made structure of claim39, wherein the borate solution coating provides a termite barrier whichis effective to limit termite tube formation across the surface of thenon-wood building component to a length of less than about 12 inches.52. The man-made structure of claim 39, wherein the borate solutioncoating provides a termite barrier which is effective to limit termitetube formation across the surface of the non-wood building component toa length of less than about 24 inches.
 53. A method for reducing termitedamage to a man-made structure comprising the steps of: mixing at leastone form of borate, and at least one solvent to form a borate solution;obtaining at least one non-wood building component having a surfacewhich is susceptible to the formation of termite shelter tubes and atleast one wood building component; incorporating the at least onenon-wood building component into a man-made structure so that a firstportion of the non-wood building component is disposed adjacent groundor soil and a second portion of the non-wood building component isvertically disposed above the ground or soil; incorporating the at leastone wood or cellulosic building component into the man-made structuredisposed adjacent the second portion of the non-wood building componentwithout being adjacent ground or soil; coating the surface of thenon-wood building component, after being incorporated into the man-madestructure, with the borate solution; and wherein the borate solutioncoating provides a termite barrier which is effective to substantiallyreduce termite tube formation across the surface of the non-woodbuilding component.
 54. The method of claim 53, wherein the non-woodbuilding component is cementitious.
 55. The method of claim 53, whereinthe non-wood building component is metal.
 56. The method of claim 53,wherein the non-wood building component is polymeric.
 57. The method ofclaim 53, wherein the solvent comprises water.
 58. The method of claim53, wherein the solvent comprises an organic solvent having at least onealcohol group.
 59. The method of claim 53, wherein the solvent comprisesat least one glycol selected from the group consisting of propyleneglycol, monoethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol,polyethylene glycol, and mixtures thereof.
 60. The method of claim 53,wherein the borate solution comprises from about 10.0 weight percent toabout 30.0 weight percent of at least one borate selected from the groupconsisting of boric acid, sodium borates, zinc borates, calcium borates,sodium calcium borates, calcium magnesium borates, organic borates, andmixtures thereof.
 61. The method of claim 53, wherein the boratesolution comprises disodium octaborate tetrahydrate.
 62. The method ofclaim 53, wherein the surface of the non-wood building component iscoated with an average coating of from about 0.0005 g/cm² to about 1.0g/cm² of the borate solution.
 63. The method of claim 53, wherein thesurface of the non-wood building component is coated with an averagecoating of from about 0.04 g/cm² to about 0.10 g/cm² of the boratesolution.
 64. The method of claim 53, wherein the borate solutioncoating provides a termite barrier which is effective to limit termitetube formation across the surface of the non-wood building component toa length of less than about 6 inches.
 65. The method of claim 53,wherein the borate solution coating provides a termite barrier which iseffective to limit termite tube formation across the surface of thenon-wood building component to a length of less than about 12 inches.66. The method of claim 53, wherein the borate solution coating providesa termite barrier which is effective to limit termite tube formationacross the surface of the non-wood building component to a length ofless than about 24 inches.
 67. The method of claim 53, furthercomprising coating the at least one wood or cellulosic buildingcomponent with the borate solution.